Fine and ban for driver with slurred speech who refused to be breathalised when police stopped him

Police pulled over a motorist on Perth’s Dundee Road in the early hours because of the “manner of his driving.”

And when they spoke to 41-year-old financial services worker Kevin Macdonald, his speech was“slurred and deliberate.”

But when he was taken to Perth Police Station he refused to provide two specimens of breath for analysis.

His lack of co-operation cost him a £480 fine and a 14-month driving ban when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Keith O’Mahony imposed the penalties as the accused’s standard of driving was“an aggravating factor.”

A prosecution motion to forfeit the car was refused after it emerged it was owned by the accused’s father.

Macdonald admitted refusing to provide the breath samples at the Barrack Street HQ on June 3 last year.

Depute fiscal Matthew Kerr said the accused’s vehicle had come to the attention of police about 1.30am.

The vehicle was stopped and he was the sole occupant.

Solicitor Billy Somerville said the vehicle was valued at around £2000 but the accused’s wasn’t the registered keeper.

The lawyer explained that his client had been signed off work with anxiety, stress and depression and was likely to be on sick leave for five months.

Macdonald was also receiving assistance for“over consumption of alcohol.”

Mr Somerville added:“He can make no excuse for not providing the breath samples.

“He had been drinking.” Macdonald, of Tannadice Street, Dundee, will pay the fine at £40 a month.